NY lawmakers seek to save Airpower Museum

A senator and congressman are trying to save the American Airpower Museum, located in a hangar at Republic Airport on Long Island, according to a June 29 Newsday report. The museum is imperiled by a plan to build a safety apron at the end of a runway to give planes more space to stop in an emergency, Newsday said. The site is the former home of Republic Aviation, which produced thousands of airplanes, notably P-47s, during World War II.

The FAA has allocated $10.6 million for the runway project but is prevented by law from helping to fund relocation of the museum to another part of the airport.

Sen. Charles Schumer and Congressman Steve Israel are trying to get legislation passed that would allow the FAA to help pay for the museum’s move.